Exit Wounds

Future

Hoop Dreams

"And if at first you don't succeed...you can dust it off and try again..."

Aaliyah - Try Again

Last Thursday the 76ers were unable to get a win against the visiting Magic in Game 6 of their first round playoff series...therefore they are home a little early after an interesting season.

Next Year

I attended the exit interviews at the practice facility, and I spoke to several players...however it was the words of team leaders Andre Iguodala, and Elton Brand that I wanted to hear the most. Below are the quotes from each player, as they addressed the media for the last time this season:

Why did the team struggle at the end, is it based on coaching? AI: "I think at times we have mental lapses...that comes from us as well. Myself, being leader of the team...guys have to be ready, especially this time of the season being in the playoffs, you should never have a mental lapse during the playoffs. This is a key moment...you shouldn't be thinking about anything else but the game."

What are the major differences between last year and this year, and what are you going to personally do in the offseason? AI: "Well last year was negotiating and dealing with that, and that clears up a lot of free time...clears up a lot of thinking in your mind, so it's a lot different. My mind is just clear...thinking about ball, and how to become a better player, and how to step it up in order for us to get to the next level."

What do you want to add to your game...anything? AI: "I don't think I've gotten where I want to be with my confidence yet. You know I think with the playoffs...it was getting close to there, but I will continue to shoot the ball, and become a more dominant post player, and just growing as a person and player."

How is your injury coming along? Brand: "The rehab is coming along well...the shoulder is stronger...I've been on the court, and it's much better."

What do you think happened in the last game? Brand: "I was hoping we'd come out with a lot of fire, and energy...and we certainly didn't do that, and we kind of played down without Dwight [Howard], I think we played down to the competition a little bit, but I'm disappointed...and I understand the fans disappointment...the team's disappointment, and I'm disappointed right along with everybody so I'm just going to make myself work a lot harder."

What did you see by sitting out for most of the season? Brand: "Now I really have a great idea of what Andre Iguodala can do...of what Andre Miller can do, what Thaddeus [Young] can do. You know being on the west coast, I haven't seen those guys play that much, but being there every game...I can really see where I can fit in now...definitely, so I learned a lot, but I wish I could have been out there to contribute, but I learned a lot."

Outside of your shoulder injury, what will you do as a veteran player this offseason? Brand: "I just want to talk to the guys and spend time with the guys. You know they kept me in the loop, and they didn't have to, because I remember when I played with Kerry Kittles...he was a vet...and he came to my team with the Clippers, and he was supposed to be the outside shooting threat, and he played 10 games the whole season...and we barely talked to the guy. We were so upset that he got hurt, and we felt like he let us down but now I'm older I understand...injuries do happen and these guys kept me in the loop and kept me on their side."

Photos: Webster Riddick